The Creativity Project

Join the Creativity Project

If you read my blog you know that I scrapbook and I love being creative. But, you’ll also notice that I haven’t been posting much lately and that’s because I’m burnt out. It just hasn’t been the same for me. I thought I wanted to be on design teams and get published and that’s what I wanted scrapbooking to be in my life, but the more I chased it the less I loved this hobby. I decided to step back from it a little and really reflect on why I was chasing something I wasn’t even sure I wanted. I thought it would be fun and make me more creative, but instead it was stifling my creativity and taking away my time with my kids and adding stress I didn’t need (nor want).

So, after following one inspiration to the next today, I feel inspired and ready to take on the world! I realized that what I love is feeling creative. And spending time with my family. And feeling the happiness that comes from both of those things together. I want to have more of that in my life without the deadlines or the stress or the feeling like it’s not good enough.

So, I am presenting you with the creativity project.

This is simply doing something creative every single day. When I say ‘creative’ I don’t mean make a project everyday (although you can if you want!). I mean be creative with your thoughts and your actions. See everyday as a new adventure. Start each morning with the thought “what can I do that’s fun and creative today?”. This can be anything from reading a Dr. Seuss book, playing in the sand, making something or even coloring with your kids. BUT, don’t just stop there once you’ve figured out what you want to do for the day...ask yourself “what else can I do to make this even more creative?”. For instance, I decided today that we would have breakfast for dinner, but not just any ole’ breakfast but, breakfast with waffles and cool whip and sprinkles, and not just at the diner table, but we will build a tent and eat it in there. The fun part was once I decided what I wanted to do it made my whole day fun thinking about it and planning for it. And I noticed the energy level increase as I planned it with the kids and Tom. And I notice he even felt more creative.

 

Imagine doing that everyday. Imagine the creativity you will unleash inside when you have to find something fun and creative to do everyday. Imagine the energy level you will feel. Imagine the memories you will be making. And the creativity you will be instilling in your children and others around you. Imagine the chain effect this could have on so many areas of your life. 



I want to invite you to start your own creativity project and unleash your creative potential. I will be sharing my creativity here and starting a photo album and links to other people who are taking on this challenge here, so let me know if you going to play along with me and I’ll add you, so we can inspire the world (dreaming big here!) together to have more fun and be creative. You can let me know in the comments or you can email me at lisamday@me.com.

I created this badge for a constant reminder to bring creativity into your day everyday. I encourage you to put it on your blog so we can all be reminded and share what we are doing creative each day. To place it on your blog use the code below.

<a href="http://www.lisaday.typepad.com"><img src="http://lisaday.typepad.com/Creativity.jpg" width="172" height="100" border="0" alt="The Creativity Project with Lisa Day"></a>

Comments

[Chelle Greene]

This sounds like fun!

[Candice]

Send you an email

[Bekka]

Great perspective! I like this idea.
And that looks like a fantastic breakfast. I might have to "lift" that idea. :)

[Jennifer]

I just found your blog...and it couldn't have come at a better time for me. I have been having the same feelings and all those pressures to get on more DTs, to get published etc. Every layout or project I did was so stressful because I was worried if it would be "good enough" All the fun and the purpose of my art was taken out of it. Thanks for giving me what I needed to read today!!

[Nicole Stark]

Lisa I couldn't have said it better myself. Especially after my year of MMM was over I really contemplated why I do what I do. And again just recently. I love the idea and think you are right on track:)

[Michele in La]

just found your project from Stacy's blog...you are definitely on to something here - this has been my philosophy for a long time - I have explained to people that (when I'm in the mood) I love to cook because I can be creative - I may start with a recipe, but always change it a little and most of the time I just look in the fridge and start from there.

I absolutely believe that if you are truly a creatvie person, *everything* you do is done in your creative way. You can't help it! The only time I get unhappy is when life is so structured and there are too many things I have to do (commitments to others like family or church) and I go to bed at night not having done anything for 'me' - which really means I didn't have time today to let my mind wander - do something creative, think about something creative, read about something creative....

I will try to play along and make a conscience effort - I wish you the best in your quest!

[Katie Scott]

Sign me up :)

[Lisa]

Count me in too! My family and I need some fun and creativity in our lives...simple things to help us enjoy every day.

[Julie Johnson]

I'm in! I am a better mom, better wife, better friend, better all around...when I'm creative and living in the NOW. This is exciting!

[Kris B. in Rochester, NY]

Sounds like a great way to creatively tackle the 365 project...I felt like after 2 months, I might be winding down, but looking at it as a way to challenge myself creatively might be just the push I need to keep on documenting something EVERY day! Count me in, too!

[Dana]

sounds great!

[Julie B]

my project 365 has been lagging... so a creative challenge is just what I need! =)

[TracyBzz]

Found your Creativity Project through Stacy's blog. I'M IN!! I just did Lain Ehmann's LOAD in February and it was awesome! Your project will really spill over into ALL areas (and people) of my life.

[Noreen Smith]

Hi Lisa...Great idea - please add me to the list! Lately I have been focusing on creating only for the sake of others (design teams and publication submissions) so I am ready to be creative JUST FOR ME! I am taking Stacy's LOM class at BPS and that is really helping me see more creative and authentic connections for my scrapbooking, so this is perfect timing! Let's create!
Noreen

[Gina Jackson]

I'm in! What a cool idea. I get caught up in all the necessessities of the day and often forget to have fun! Thanks for the challenge.

[Karen]

hey lisa,
Just stumbled upon your blog and this whole idea of creativity has struck a real chord with me! I love the feeling that comes from being creative or creating something. I am not even a scrapbooker, but have varied interest, skills and talent, all of which have allowed me to express my creativity.I am so in on this project! Thank you for the inspiration!

Karen

[DeuceMom]

Thank you so much for starting this - it's so easy to get in a rut, particularly over the winter, and I think this is going to be so fun!

[Leslie]

I'm in! Look out world!

[donna]

ok I'm in too. with all that goes on in my life I need some creative time.

[Lain]

I'm in! I just emailed my mailing list (about 500 people) about it, too... so hopefully they'll get on board! LOVE THIS! :)
xooxx
Lain

[ScrappyMommy]

Oh this sounds fun! I'm going to shoot off an email now!

[Katherine McKamey]

Hi! Lain sent me! I just finished her LOAD (Lay Out A Day) challenge and was really grooving with the creativity this month - I don't want to let the feeling go, either. So, I'm on board!! Now, I'm telling all of my friends! Wooo Hooo!!

-Katherine/Csmoferret

[Tracy Lathrop]

This couldn't have come at a better time in my life! Lain sent me and I sure am glad she did! Wow, I read your post and thought man she took the words right out of my mouth! You are living my life! Sign me up!

[Robin W]

Lain sent me too and I'm in. Sounds fun!

[christine]

This sounds terriffic, please add me to your list.

[bcre8uv]

I'm totally in!

[Lee]

I'm in, love the idea of learning to love my "hobby" again!

[Georgana Hall]

I'm in & ready to feel inspired!!! Thanks for the great idea!

[Deirdre]

I've been looking for a Lenten promise that was about doing something rather than giving up something. I'm a week late but this is a great idea. Count me in too!

[Danielle]

I am definitely in I'm going to start today right now! Thank you so much!

[Shanna]

OMIGOSH! You are a total answer to prayer! I've been rolling empty ideas around in my brain for MONTHS on ways to make life with my kids and in our home a little more colorful & playful! This is EXACTLY what I needed! Thanks so much for the Inspiration! Please add me! I will be playing along and adding the badge to my blog! My first one EVER! I've avoided blinkies and badges like the plague but this time I am making an exception! WINK!

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

What a fabulous idea, I'm in! I didn't realize it, but I started yesterday before even reading your post.

I wanted to go out for a snowy walk, but then it turned into a snowy day sledding adventure!

[Rebecca]

I have not updated my blog in weeks, but I think...correction...I know I'm going to update it today with this! I've already started the month off with an effort to be more creative everyday and didn't even know about your Creativity Project until this minute. It's perfect!
blessings, Rebecca

[ady abreu]

The same thing happened to me last year and it totally depressed me but I did the same and I hardly post layouts anymore, only on my blog. So I'll take the challenge.

[Amanda Ellaboudy]

I am SO totally in! I found your challenge a couple of days ago and you've been haunting me ever since! Thanks, I feel like you knew this is exactly what I needed in my life right now and did it just for me! (ha! a girl can pretend, right?) Anyway, count me in please! I'm running into the ocean of creativity like a child, without a concern for what's next. ~A

[Linda S]

I would like to be included in this project as well.

[Beryl]

Hi Lisa - saw you link on Stacey Julian's blog... fantastic idea, could not have come at a better time!!! I've been needing a bit of a creative push lately! Sign me up, feel free to link to my blog!

[Heather]

I absolutely LOVE this idea! I have already made a commitment to be creative everyday but I tend to get forget that there are other ways aside from scrapbooking that I can be creative. I really love your dinner in a fort - that is just fabulous! You can count me in on this and I am putting my thinking cap on! Looking forward to seeing other's ideas as well. Will post the blinkie on my blog! Thanks!

[asun]

this project rocks!!!

[Kay Gregory-Clark]

Just discovered the Creativity Project this week through Gretchen's blog. Love the idea, and reading the comments here reminded me of something my 90-year-young friend said one day: "I try to do something creative every day, whether it's embroidery, quilting, drawing or just mopping the floor." She is truly an amazing lady (now she's 92). That became my watch-phrase: Do something creative every day. I wake up and begin thinking about my day and what I will do that's fun and creative (in addition to the have-to things). It gives me incentive to get through those not-so-fun tasks. Off to read more of your blog....

[Dalon]

I just learned of this project today via the blog "Adornit" - love your idea and I'm joining!!! Woohoo!!! My kids will be so excited - they love doing fun creative things too ... what a wonderful way to start the day - not only by looking at what fun we can do, but how creative can we be?!

[Diane Herman]

Hope its not to late to join in...this could be just the boost I need to get me out of a the rut I am in right now!